Backpack carrier strap system

ABSTRACT

A backpack includes a pair of shoulder straps and motion restraining members. The shoulder straps are configured for supporting the backpack on the shoulders of a human wearer. A first end of each motion restraining member is releasably connected via a releasable connector to a respective one of the shoulder straps, and a second end of each motion restraining member is connected to the backpack at a location between said backpack upper and lower regions in a central region of the backpack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Norwegian Patent Application No. 20130371 filed on Mar. 13, 2013, the disclosure of which including the specification, the drawings, and the claims is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to loads and objects configured to carried by on the back of a human being. More specifically, the invention relates to backpack as set out by the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Backpack designs generally fall into one of three categories: frameless backpacks, backpacks having an internal frame, and backpacks having an external frame.

The latter design category typically has a singular frame to which shoulder straps and a hip belt are connected. The frame material is typically a metal alloy or GRP. One or more bags are connected to the frame via designated pockets in the bag fabric and/or via straps and buckles. In some designs, the bag(s) may easily be detached from the frame. The frame may also be used for carrying designated containers for various tools and equipment. Backpacks having an external frame are typically equipped with a bag having a large volume and is generally configured for carrying a relatively heavy load.

Frame Backpacks

A frameless backpack comprises in its most basic design a bag and a pair of shoulder straps and are useful in carrying only light loads. Backpacks having an internal frame are often furnished with one or more rigid or resilient elements embedded in the back fabric, in order to give the backpack some inherent rigidity and load-transferring capabilities. Such structural elements may be one or more metal or GRP rod, plate, or similar. Backpacks with embedded structural elements (i.e. an internal frame) come in a variety of sizes.

A general problem with backpacks is that they tend to be uncomfortable for the wearer when he or she is moving vigorously, such as in jogging, running or jumping. Due to the inertia of the backpack, the backpack will tend to have a movement pattern that does not correspond to that of the wearer. The backpack movements are generally asynchronous with those of the wearer, and in different directions. A running person wearing a backpack will tend to impose alternating impacts to the shoulder straps, which will result in the backpack tending to swing from side to side. This will in turn lead to a sideways shifting of the shoulder straps, which causes friction and discomfort for the wearer. This is in particular an undesired situation if the wearer is running for an extended period of time.

Known remedies for the problem described above include a tightening of the shoulder straps, and possibly also, a sternum strap. However, this is only effective if the straps are pulled very tight, to a degree where shoulder movement and rib cage expansion (and thus breathing) are impeded, and is therefore uncomfortable for the wearer.

The prior art includes WO 2011/053961 A2 which describes a stabilized backpack with a hip suspension and a shoulder suspension. The hip suspension comprises vertical support rods that are pivotally attached to the hip belt and pack frame to allow motion of the wearer's hips without causing varying forces on the pack. The shoulder suspension comprises pulleys and cords attaching the shoulder straps to the pack so that the motion of the wearer's shoulders does not cause varying forces on the pack. The basic idea disclosed in this prior art publication is that of the pack “riding” the person similar to a jockey riding a horse (see page 5, first paragraph).

The prior art also includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,059 A, which discloses a universally adjustable frameless backpack for use by a sportsperson. The pack has a pivoted shoulder harness that allows the pack to remain relatively stationary while the person's body and shoulders swing back and forth as in jogging, running, or cross-country skiing. The hip pad also has an attachment to the pack of a kind that allows hip motion without excessive swinging of the pack.

It is therefore a need for an improved system for resolving or mitigating the problems described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.

It is thus provided a backpack comprising a pair of shoulder straps configured for supporting the backpack on a the shoulders of a human wearer, characterized by a pair of motion restraining members, each motion restraining member:

at a first end being releasably connected via a releasable connector to a respective one of the shoulder straps, at a second end being connected to the backpack at a location between said backpack upper and lower regions, in a central region of the backpack.

In one embodiment, each motion restraining member first end is connected to a respective upper part of the shoulder strap. Each motion restraining member comprises length adjustment means.

In one embodiment, the shoulder strap further comprises height adjustment means for connection to the connector, whereby the motion restraining member first end is movable along a portion of the shoulder strap upper part.

In one embodiment, height adjustment means are connected to the motion restraining member second end, whereby said second end is movable within the central region.

In one embodiment, one or more sternum members are provided, each sternum member comprising two sternum member portions connected to respective shoulder straps via connection means and being releasably interconnected via an adjustable buckle.

In one embodiment, the backpack comprises a single sternum strap and its connection means are arranged at the same or substantially the same, level as the releasable connector.

In another embodiment, the connection means are slidably arranged on said height adjustment means.

By providing connections between a central region of the backpack bag and/or frame and the shoulder harness, the motion restriction members effectively serve to pull the bag or frame towards the wearer's back and hence make the backpack move in concert with the movements of the wearer. When the pair of motion restriction members are connected to respective ones of the shoulder harness, the backpack tends to follow the wearer's movement even when the wearer is running.

For the purpose of this invention, a “backpack” shall be understood to mean any bag, frame or other object that is configure to be carried on the back of a human being via at least a pair of shoulder straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of preferential forms of embodiment, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invented backpack carrier strap system;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are side views of a wearer carrying a backpack having the invented backpack carrier strap system arranged in respective first, second and third configurations;

FIGS. 5-9 are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the invented backpack carrier strap system;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a wearer carrying a backpack having the invented backpack carrier strap system; and

FIG. 11 is shows an embodiment of a height adjustment arrangement for the motion restriction member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENT

The following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader's convenience only and shall not be limiting.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a backpack 2 comprises in the illustrated embodiment a bag 3 and a pair of shoulder straps 4. Each shoulder strap 4 comprises an upper part 4 a and a lower part 4 b, interconnected by an adjustable buckle 4 c. The upper part 4 a, which is attached to the bag upper region, is configured for being supported by a wearer's shoulders and collarbones. The lower part 4 b is connected to the bag at the bag lower region. Extending between the bag 3 and each shoulder strap 4 are respective motion restriction straps 5, one on each side of the bag. Each motion restriction strap 5 is at a first (forward) end connected to a portion of the upper part 4 a of the shoulder strap via a first buckle 11. The first buckle 11 is releasable and opened when the backpack is not in use or when a wearer puts on or takes off the backpack. The motion restriction strap 5 is at a second (rear) end connected to a central region of the bag, on respective lateral sides of the bag.

FIG. 2 shows a backpack having the invented stabilization system, carried by a wearer W. The backpack shown in FIG. 2 also comprises a conventional hip belt, or waistband, 6.

By providing connections between a central region S of the bag and the shoulder straps 4, the motion restriction straps 5 effectively serve to pull the bag towards the wearer's back and hence make the bag move in concert with the movements of the wearer. Therefore, when the two motion restriction straps 5 are connected as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the backpack tends to follow the wearer's movement even when the wearer is running.

The motion restriction straps 5 in the illustrated embodiment are flexible but virtually non-elastic straps. Although not illustrated, it should be understood that the motion restriction strap 5 and/or the first buckle 11 comprise adjustment means such that the wearer may tighten or release the tension in the motion restriction strap 5 in order to adjust the pulling force between the shoulder straps and the bag, and hence the adherence between the bag and the wearer. A motion restriction strap having a certain amount of elasticity is also conceivable.

In FIG. 2, the motion restriction strap 5 is arranged at an angle α that is approximately normal with respect to the backpack vertical axis V. FIG. 3 shows a configuration where this angle α is an acute angle, whereas FIG. 4 shows a configuration where the angle α is an obtuse angle. In all of the three arrangements shown in FIGS. 2-4, the second (rear) end of the motion restriction strap 5 is connected to the bag in a central region S. Referring to FIG. 2, the central region S is defined by an upper line extending in a substantially horizontal plane at the level the wearer's armpit, and a lower line extending in a substantially horizontal plane at the level of the adjustable buckle 4 c.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment having a sternum strap 7, which in fact comprise two straps portions, one connected to each respective shoulder strap via a sternum strap connector 12, interconnected by an adjustable and releasable sternum strap buckle 7 a (which per se is well known in the art). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the sternum strap 7 is arranged at the same level (elevation) as the respective first buckles 11 for each of the motion restriction straps 5, such that the two motion restriction straps 5 and the sternum strap 7 form a continuous and closed loop, virtually in the same plane and extending from one side of the bag to the other, around the wearer's torso. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment having two sternum straps 7; one is arranged above the pair of motion restriction straps 5 and one is arranged below.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment without sternum strap and where both of the motion restriction straps 5 are height adjustable. Each shoulder strap upper part 4 a comprises an adjustment member 8 on which a releasable and adjustable first buckle 11′ is slidably arranged. The rear end of each motion restriction strap is connected to the bag via sliding connection 10, in a manner which is known in the art. The details of this configuration is further illustrated in FIG. 11. The position of the motion restriction straps 5 may thus be adjusted by the wearer while the backpack is in use.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 7, but where additionally two sternum straps 7 are slidably arranged on the same adjustment member 8, above and below the motion restriction straps. Each sternum strap is slidably connected to opposing adjustment member 8 via a slidable connector 9. Although not shown, the slidable connectors 9 and the first buckle 11′ on each shoulder strap may be interconnected, allowing simultaneous movement.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 6, but without the lower sternum strap. FIG. 10 shows a backpack having the invented carrier strap system, in use on a wearer.

Although the embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to a frameless backpack, it should understood that the invention is also applicable for a backpack having an external frame or an internal frame.

Furthermore, although in the embodiments of the invention the shoulder straps and the rear ends of the motion restriction strap are illustrated as being connected to the bag, it should be understood that the invention is equally applicable to embodiments where the shoulder straps and/or the rear ends of the motion restriction straps are connected to the frame, not the bag. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack comprising a pair of shoulder straps configured for supporting the backpack on the shoulders of a human wearer; and a pair of motion restraining members, wherein a first end of each motion restraining member is releasably connected via a releasable connector to a respective one of the shoulder straps and a second end of each motion restraining member is connected to the backpack at a location between said backpack upper and lower regions in a central region of the backpack.
 2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein each motion restraining member first end is connected to a respective upper part of the shoulder strap.
 3. The backpack of claim 1, wherein each motion restraining member comprises length adjustment means.
 4. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap further comprises height adjustment means for connection to the connector, whereby the motion restraining member first end is movable along a portion of the shoulder strap upper part.
 5. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising height adjustment means connected to the motion restraining member second end, whereby said second end is movable within the central region.
 6. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising one or more sternum members, each sternum member comprising two sternum members portions connected to respective shoulder straps via connection means and being releasably interconnected via an adjustable buckle.
 7. The backpack of claim 6, comprising a single sternum members and its connection means are arranged at the same or substantially the same, level as the releasable connector.
 8. The backpack of claim 4, further comprising one or more sternum members, each sternum member comprising two sternum members portions connected to respective shoulder straps via connection means and being releasably interconnected via an adjustable buckle, wherein the connection means are slidably arranged on said height adjustment means. 